2. Contact Info

3. Dealer Selection

Significantly freshened for 2007, the Mazda3 has been a staff favorite since it hit the scene back in 2004. Sure, we adore this little 3, but decided it was time to take out the test sheets and notebooks once again to sample a 2008 Mazda3s Grand Touring model.

Power for our 3s Grand Touring comes from a 2.3-liter twin-cam four, good for 156 horsepower and 150 pound-feet, numbers that place it midpack in its class. As expected, acceleration times — 0-to-60 in 8.5 and the quarter mile in 16.6 at 84.1 — aligned accordingly. It’s in objective handling and braking tests, though, where the 3 shines. Around the skidpad, the Mazda hits 0.86 g, which equals the lateral acceleration of a Mini Cooper S. Figure eight? Its time of 27.5 seconds at 0.61 g is superior to the Hemi-powered Dodge Charger R/T we just tested that dispatched 27.8 at 0.63. Perhaps most impressive is the Mazda’s 60-to-0, which, at 112 feet, matches that of the all-new Pontiac G8 GT.

Out on the drive loop, our notes mirror these fantastic stats. “Always impressed by the dynamics,” claims senior editor Ed Loh. Editor-at-large Arthur St. Antoine says, “…you can feel the racing DNA in the 3’s bones.”

Speaking of racing, Mazda sets up the 3’s manual mode right — forward for downshifts, back for upshifts — giving it a feel befitting a racetrack. Alas, the tranny did occasionally suffer from “erratic gear tenacity,” in which it refused to engage a higher or lower cog upon input. Besides that one niggle, there’s little to carp about with the 3, particularly with its interior. The seating position is excellent and especially driver-focused, as all the controls have seemingly graduated from ergonomics school with honors. Further, interior detailing is posh and stylish, and such details as electroluminescent gauges and automatic climate control are uncommon features at this price point.

And what about that price point? Our topline GT starts at $20,830 and, with an auto-dimming mirror and a moonroof/Bose package, lists for $23,315. Keep in mind that includes leather, heated seats, and Xenon headlamps. We should also note that the slightly decontented Touring trim retails for $19,060.

Regardless of trim, the Mazda3 manages to deliver the ultimate small-car driving experience. As St. Antoine states, “It feels an awful lot like another ‘3’-one that stickers for about twice the price.”